10 Pics That May Make You Never Want To Live Near Others Again

In the past, idyllic suburban neighborhoods were characterized by close relationships. Residents would rely on their neighbors for support, friendly chats, and even block gatherings. However, neighborly friendliness is on the decline and a once strong sense of community is slowly being replaced by anonymity and frustration.

This is evident in many stories of neighborly antics that people share to vent their frustrations online. From using a shared hallway as storage to wrecking a car into a fellow resident’s home, scroll down to find the most unbelievable things these neighbors from the pits of H-E-double-hockey-sticks have pulled.

While at it, don't forget to check out a conversation with global community building expert, author, and founder and CEO of Kalliergo Community Building, Lori Gosselin, who kindly agreed to tell us why we're distancing ourselves from surrounding dwellers.

10 PHOTOS

#1 This Is A Power Move

#2 Ketchup Critics

#3 I Present To You, Lazy Neighbors. These Neighbors Are Only A Few Steps Away From The Trash Chute And Refuse To Dispose Of Their Trash Properly. They Just Leave Their Trash In The Hallway

This has been going on for months and has only gotten worse these past few weeks. The lovely cleaning ladies have begged me to help them find out who is taking advantage of them, and last night I took the liberty of putting on gloves, going through the trash, and finding mail addressed to them. I found out who the neighbor was and placed all the trash back on their porch. Call me a jerk, but multiple neighbors have placed notes asking them not to leave trash bags outside in the hallway.

A myriad of data supports the fact that nearby residents aren’t as connected as they used to be. A 2024 Top Rail Fence survey shows that 65% of residents admit to hiding from their neighbors. 

Younger generations are even more guilty of doing this.

The most common ways people try to avoid surrounding dwellers are by pretending not to see them, staying inside when someone is outside, acting like they’re not home, wearing headphones, or faking being on a call.

#4 A Non-Serious Discharge Of Debt

Can't explain how angry I am. Someone destroyed the grave of my cat. My cat Franz passed away after a neighbor kicked him in the stomach. He couldn’t recover from this.

Yesterday I found the grave of my dead cat destroyed in the backyard. I reached out to the Facebook group for my village. Today the mother of the 5-year-old kid who destroyed the grave called me. His son is guilty and wants to apologize. He said it was a mistake and wanted to give me money for the damage. The mother interrupted him and told him the truth. He and his 2 friends destroyed the grave and threw the wood into the small river. This was no mistake. I am really sad and angry someone destroyed the grave without any remorse. But it's a 5-year-old, I can't call the police for this. I just wish he told me the truth. I made this cross fully with my hands, handpainted it, and wrote his name in old German letters. He doesn't deserve this.

#5 We Got New Neighbors

#6 Neighbor's 12-Year-Old Grandkid Decided To Sneak A Joyride. Freaked Out, Hit The Gas, And Crossed Their Lawn And Mine To Hit The Front Of My House

Their car insurance covers all of the damages. Luckily, they were insured. My homeowner's insurance is handling everything communication-wise with their insurance.

"Gone are the days when Wilma Flintstone chatted with her neighbor Betty over the fence as they hung their laundry. We don't even have time for that. Some neighborhoods forbid the use of clotheslines!" says global community building expert, author, and founder and CEO of Kalliergo Community Building, Lori Gosselin, to Bored Panda.

"It's sad," she adds. "More attention needs to be drawn to this systemic issue. Humans need community like they need oxygen and yet today there is little time to cultivate true community connections."

The dad threatened me last week saying he’d break my windows if my dog ever poop in his yard (my dog has never done so). Found this, presumably from his kids being little idiots, already caught them once putting a hole in my siding with a rock. Can’t approach parents without potentially being attacked. Filed a police report and they couldn’t care less. $1000 repair.

#7 Neighbors' Kids Broke The Window In My Brand-New House

This is not across the street. This is the block over. Best of our picture-taking contest, the power of Christ was too great for our phones to depict this behemoth in all its 20-foot glory.

#9 Downstairs Neighbor Came To My Door At Midnight After Throwing Rocks At My Window And Calling Me Names

Yesterday night, at about 11, I heard what sounded like pebbles hitting my bedroom window, then a male voice screaming names. About 15 minutes later, I heard a knock on my door. I checked the Ring camera to find a guy I didn’t recognize standing there. He said he was my downstairs neighbor and told me to stop stomping so loud, it’s been six months of nonstop noise, and he’s “sick of it”. I moved in three months ago, not six, and I’ve never had a noise complaint in any of my previous apartments. Plus, my job means I’m gone for 12-14 hours a day. I don’t know what he’s hearing, but I don’t think it’s me. Even if it is, throwing pebbles and then coming to my door at midnight is a weird way to handle it. This whole situation is freaking me out.

According to Gosselin, one of the culprits of declining friendliness among neighbors might be the growing demands of our lives, like work and childcare, that leave little time for leisure.

She suggests that the disappearance of front porches might be another. "People used to occupy the front porch in the evening, greeting neighbors out for evening strolls or walking their dogs. But now we disappear onto the back deck, seeking solitude, choosing introversion over extroversion."

#10 Neighbors Using The Common Hallway As Storage